Diva tendersresignation!Cover does a moonlight flit!Half your cast disappears,but the crowd still cheers!Opera!To hell with Gluck and Handel -Have a scandal andyou're sure to have a hit!(ANDRE bursts in, in a temper)

ANDREDamnable!Will they all walk out?This is damnable!

FIRMINAndre, please don't shout . . .

It's publicity!And the take is vast!Free publicity!

ANDREBut we have no cast . . .

FIRMIN (calmly)But Andre,have you seen the queue?

(He has been sorting mail on his desk. Finding the two letters from the PHANTOM):

Oh, it seemsyou've got one too . . .

(He hands the letter to ANDRE, who opens it and reads):

ANDRE"Dear Andrewhat a charming gala!Christine enjoyed a great success!We were hardly bereftwhen Carlotta left -otherwisethe chorus was entrancing,but the dancing was alamentable mess!"

FIRMIN (reading his)"Dear Firmin,just a brief reminder:my salary has not been paid.Send it care of the ghost,by return of postP.T.O."No-one likes a debtor,so it's better if myorders are obeyed!"

FIRMIN/ANDREWho would have the gallto send this?Someone with a puerile brain!

FIRMIN (Opens the letter and reads. The PHANTOM'S voice gradually lakes over)"Gentlemen, I have now sent you several notes of the most amiable nature, detailing how my theatre is to be run. You have not followed my instructions.I shall give you one last chance . . ."

PHANTOM'S VOICE (taking over)Christine Daae has returned to you,and I am anxious her careershould progress.In the new production of "Il Muto",you will therefore cast Carlottaas the Pageboy, and put Miss Daaein the role of Countess.The role which Miss Daae playscalls for charm and appeal.The role of the Pageboy is silent -which makes my casting,in a wordideal.

I shall watch the performance from my normal seat in Box Five, which will be kept empty for me. Should these commands be ignored, a disaster beyond your imagination will occur.

FIRMIN (taking over)"I remain, Gentlemen,Your obedient servant, O.G."

MEGChristine, Christine....

CARLOTTAChristine!

ANDREWhatever next . . .?

CARLOTTAIt's all a ploy to help Christine!

FIRMINThis is insane . . .

CARLOTTAI know who sent this:(pointing an accusing finger)The Vicomte - her lover!

RAOUL (ironical)Indeed?(to the OTHERS)Can you believe this?

ANDRE (to CARLOTTA, in protest)Signora!

CARLOTTA (half to the MANAGERS, half to herself)O traditori!

FIRMIN (to CARLOTTA)This is a joke!

ANDREThis changes nothing!

CARLOTTAO mentitori!

FIRMINSignora!

ANDREYou are our star!

FIRMINAnd always will be!

ANDRESignora . . .

FIRMINThe man is mad!

ANDREWe don't take orders!

FIRMIN (announcing it to EVERYONE)Miss Daae will be playingthe Pageboy - the silent role . . .

CARLOTTAThink how you'll shinein that final encore!Sing, prima donna,once more!

GIRYOh fools, to have flouted his warnings!

RAOULSurely, for her sake . . .

MEGSurely he'll strike back . . .

ANDRE/FIRMINSurely there'll be further scenes -worse than this!

GIRYThink, beforethese demands are rejected!

RAOUL. . .I must seethese demands are rejected!

MEG. . . if his threatsand demands are rejected!

ANDRE/FIRMINWho'd believe a diva happy to relieve a chorus girl, who's gone and slept with the patron?Raoul and the soubrette, entwined in love's duet!Although he may demur, he must have been with her!

MEG/RAOULChristine must be protected!

CARLOTTA0, fortunata!Non ancorabbandonata!

ANDRE/FIRMINYou'd never get awaywith all this in a play,but if it's loudly sungand in a foreign tongueit's just the sort of storyaudiences adore, in fact a perfect opera!

RAOULHis game is over!

GIRYThis is a gameyou cannot hope to win!

RAOULAnd in Box Fivea new game will begin . . .

GIRYFor, if his curse is on this opera . . .

MEGBut if his curse is on this opera . . .

ANDRE/FIRMINPrima donnathe world is at your feet!A nation waits,and how it hatesto be cheated!

CARLOTTAThe stress that falls upon afamous prima donna!Terrible diseases,coughs and colds and sneezes!Still, the dryest throatwill reach the highest note,in search of perfectopera!

MEG/GIRY. . . then I fear the outcome . . .

RAOULChristine plays the Pageboy,Carlotta plays the Countess . . .

GIRY. . . should you dare to . .

MEG. . . when you once again . . .

ALLLight up the stagewith that age oldrapport!Sing, prima donna,once more!

PHANTOM'S VOICESo, it is to be war between us! If these demands are not met, a disaster beyond your imagination will occur!